Why do we let people lead lives that make them desperate?

We know what can happen, we’ve seen it throughout the decades. The danger they can pose to themselves, and even worse, the danger they can pose to those around them.

Desperate men, trapped in feelings of failure, of inadequacy, striking out with violence, with brutality at those around them, at strangers, at anyone within range.

Desperate people, forced into doing things that cause them harm, shorten their lives, even end their lives. Desperate people, striking out in pain, driven to crime, to violence, to damage the world around them and themselves.

Why does it have to be this way?

Do we as a species have the ability to care for each other, take interest in each other, feel for each other enough to give the attention, the care, the assistance needed to avoid plunging people into the pit of desperation?

Do we have enough humanity in ourselves to see the humanity in each of us, and how, with care and attention, it can blossom and grow into the care and support we would want from those around us?

To let others fall into desperation is not only immoral, uncaring, inhuman, but to tempt fate, to dare the universe, to let us feel the pain of that desperation thrown back at us.

Desperation is dangerous, and any thinking, feeling human being, avoids danger if they can.

So why not this?

And why not now?

Tarik Rachid - Comments at Social Justice Conference